Former Sec of Housing Julian Castro Launches Presidential Run

Published

1 month ago

on

01/16/2019

By

Haris Alic

Former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julian Castro ended months of political speculation on Saturday when he announced his candidacy for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination. Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julian Castro ended months of political speculation on Saturday when he announced his candidacy for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination.

Castro, flanked by friends and family, told a crowd assembled at San Antonio’s Plaza Guadalupe he was ready to embark on the next chapter of his “American dream.”

“I’m running for president because it’s time for new leadership,” Castro said. “It’s time for new energy and it’s time for a new commitment to make sure that the opportunities I’ve had are available for every American.”

“In the years to come, we must go forward as one nation, working toward one destiny. And that destiny is to be the smartest, the healthiest, the fairest, and the most prosperous nation on earth.”

“Demanding anything less is a failure of vision. Achieving anything less is a failure of leadership.”

Castro, who served as mayor of San Antonio from 2009 to 2014, has long been touted as a national candidate. Such speculation first began in 2012 when then-President Barack Obama tapped him to deliver the keynote address to that year’s Democratic National Convention. The rumors only intensified when Obama nominated Castro to lead HUD in 2014. Although passed over for the vice-presidential slot on Hillary Clinton’s failed 2016 campaign, Castro was a prime surrogate for the ticket.

After leaving the Obama administration, Castro formed a political action committee and traveled the country campaigning for Democratic candidates on the 2018 midterm ballot. In December he officially launched a presidential exploratory committee.

In his remarks, portions of which were delivered in both English and Spanish, Castro said he was compelled to run out of a desire to preserve the “opportunities” that made families like his flourish.

“My family’s story wouldn’t be possible without a country that challenged itself to live up to the promise of America. That was the point of the American Dream: It wasn’t supposed to be just a dream. America was the place where dreams could become reality. But right now, the reality isn’t working.”

Castro said his life experiences and public service proved he was capable of addressing the plight of everyday citizens.

“Here in San Antonio, I made [pre-kindergarten] happen. As president, we’ll make … universal pre-kindergarten for all children whose parents want it, so that all of our nation’s students can get a strong start. And we won’t stop there.”

To that end, Castro also endorsed a number of progressives policies—Medicare for All, criminal justice reform, and an increased minimum wage, among others—to prevent America from “falling backward instead of moving forward.” His most substantial promise, however, was reserved for the topic of climate change.

“As president, my first executive order will recommit the United States to the Paris Climate Accord. We’re gonna say no to subsidizing big oil and say yes to passing a Green New Deal.”

Castro’s entry into the race makes him the third Democrat to declare in what is expected to be a packed field. Currently, no less than 25 Democrats have expressed interest in running.

On Saturday, the former secretary appeared unfazed by the potential competition. Speaking to the crowd on San Antonio’s predominantly Hispanic and working class West-Side, Castro urged political observers to not count him out.

“Look around this neighborhood, there are no frontrunners born here, but I’ve always believed that with big dreams and hard work, anything is possible.”